Habana cleared of kicking Clerc

London - South Africa wing Bryan Habana has been cleared of kicking French wing Vincent Clerc and is free to play in Saturday's game against Italy, disciplinary officials said on Tuesday.



Habana was cited after the Springboks' 20-13 defeat in Toulouse on Friday.

The International Rugby Board's judicial officer for the match, Lorne Crerar, considered a series of video clips as well as the player's explanation and was unable to determine, upon the balance of probabilities, that Habana had deliberately kicked Clerc.

A statement issued by the Six Nations disciplinary committee, which oversees the European November internationals, said that a "detailed examination of the video clips shows the upward body movement of France number 15 (Damien Traille) while gripping the lower leg of Bryan Habana, pulling Habana's leg towards him and the prostrate player (Clerc)".

Reporting by Mitch Phillips